The Journal’s Mike Arcuri got a taste of what it’s like to be a professional auto racer when he did a ride-along in Alex Tagliani’s car at Castrol Raceway on Monday, July 14, 2014.Mack Lamoureux Lamoureux, Mack
/ Edmonton Journal

The Journal’s Mike Arcuri got a taste of what it’s like to be a professional auto racer when he did a ride-along in Alex Tagliani’s car at Castrol Raceway on Monday, July 14, 2014.Mack Lamoureux Lamoureux, Mack
/ Edmonton Journal

The Journal’s Mike Arcuri got a taste of what it’s like to be a professional auto racer when he did a ride-along in Alex Tagliani’s car at Castrol Raceway on Monday, July 14, 2014.Mack Lamoureux Lamoureux, Mack
/ Edmonton Journal

Heck, I don’t have a driver’s license, but in a few minutes, I was about to be stuffed inside Alex Tagliani’s No. 18 Dodge Challenger.

I’m not sure how I convinced my editors to give me the opportunity to ride along in a real-life NASCAR vehicle. Maybe they just wanted visual evidence of an intern shamefully crying in fear at over 160 km/h. In any case, I jumped at the chance to go on the ride along.

Tagliani set up the event, but CanTorque Inc. owner Colin Livingston was behind the wheel. I hopped into the vehicle and as the engine roared to life, more than 500 horsepower rocked the car’s frame. You can feel how powerful the machine is as you accelerate through the turns.

The tires struggle to grip the sun-soaked asphalt as the car slips sideways ever so slightly. The vehicle is quickly brought back under control, in direct contradiction to my racing heartbeat. The engine screams as Livingston tears through the straightaway. The vibrations from the motor reach my ears and shake the contents of my skull. The earplugs Tagliani’s wife offered would have been a wise decision.

Two quick laps around the track at Castrol Raceway and the experience is over. The engine putters a parting gasp and I exit the car.

“It’s bringing you into our office,” said Tagliani, who set up the media event with the hope of shedding more light on the NASCAR Canadian Tire series.

Now that I’ve been to their office, I think I will continue to watch it from the sidelines.

Tagliani is coming off a disappointing outcome in the Alberta Has Energy 300 on Friday, when he held the pole position until the 269th lap. The speed of the race slowed as 11 cautions were issued for 94 laps, including two red flags. One of the incidents involved Tagliani being spun out of position, causing him to finish in 13th place.

“In my humble opinion, NASCAR has to be more strict and severe with their penalties,” said the Montreal racer.

Tagliani is concerned that Canadian NASCAR’s leniency in calling penalties has fostered an environment where racers benefit from eliminating the competition. If allowed to continue, NASCAR racing could degrade from a trial of endurance and skill into a glorified demolition derby, he said.

The success of Canadian racing is an issue dear to Tagliani’s heart. He is working with the media as well as meeting with the series director to offer his opinions on how to help the sport thrive in the long term.

Talking with Tagliani is a joy. The man is so high energy and deeply passionate about the sport. He greatly cares for the success of Canadian racing.

“The Indy Car, Champ Car split (in 2007) really hurt us. Maybe Paul Tracy and myself should have gone to the oval (Indy Car) and we could have been established and in a better position long term,” he said. “But we decided to stay Champ Car. We decided to stay true to ourselves as Canadians, and we were attracted to Canadian races. Once Champ Car collapsed and we were out of the sport, it created a lot of confusion for Canadian fans.”

Canada has always produced an abundance of racing talent, including the likes of Jacques Villeneuve, Patrick Carpentier, Paul Tracy and Greg Moore. It’s bringing this talent to the track that has been the issue in the last few years.

“Being involved in the sport and making the sport better, that’s what will give the upcoming drivers a chance and that’s what we at Tagliani Motor Sports are trying to do.”

One of the young drivers Tagliani was talking about is Edmonton native Stefan Rzadzinski. The 21-year-old finished ninth in the second NASCAR Canadian Tire series race of his career on Friday.

“I had 15-20 family members here at least,” Rzadzinski said. “Possibly more I didn’t even get to talk to.

“You pick up a lot from a guy (like Alex) who has that much experience. Me being only 21, I have a lot to learn.”

Although young and relatively inexperienced, racing with veterans has provided Rzadzinski with an abundance of confidence.

“I know I have the pacing, I know I can run with those guys,” he said.

Tagliani and Rzadzinski resume their season on Wednesday at Saskatoon for the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250.

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